The Church of the Brethren’s Virlina District has called Daniel L. Rudy as district executive minister beginning on Feb. 6, 2023. The district has called Emma Jean Franklin Woodard to serve a five-week interim role between the retirement of David Shumate on Dec. 31 and the beginning of Rudy’s service. Rudy has pastored Ninth Street
Beth Sollenberger is concluding her service as interim district executive minister and member of the Michigan District Executive Leadership Team over the past several years. She has served in an interim role for the last several years, specifically during the calendar year of 2018 and then beginning again in May 2020. In January 2022, she was called to another interim term. She will conclude her service on Dec. 31.
South Central Indiana District of the Church of the Brethren has called Marie Willoughby as co-interim district executive minister, as of Oct. 15, serving alongside Anna Lisa Gross. She replaces Kay Gaier, who served in the position from Jan. 15, 2022.
Two upcoming book studies are offered through the Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Office of Ministry.
The fall series from the Ventures in Christian Discipleship program at McPherson (Kan.) College began this morning, Sept. 17, with “Middle Knowledge: How Can Humans Have Free Will if God Knows Everything?” led by Kirk MacGregor, associate professor of Philosophy and Religion and Department Chair at McPherson. The series continues on Nov. 12 with “Human Trafficking: A Call for the Church to Respond,” led by Vivek Solanky, and on Dec. 6 with “Beyond Burned Out to Boundaries and Balance” led by Jen Jensen.
Beginning on Sept. 26 and concluding on Oct. 22, members of the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee will offer an introductory workshop on five different occasions to introduce the new pastoral compensation tools recently approved by the Annual Conference. The workshop is open to all and will be particularly helpful to church board chairs, pastors, and treasurers.
The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is offering a new type of continuing education experience for ministers. Strength for the Journey brings together small groups of ministers to share experiences, hone skills, explore ideas, wrestle with common dilemmas, and take on topics that spark new energy for ministry, all while earning continuing education units (CEUs).
The Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry has issued its annual e-packet of compensation documents to the 24 district offices. In addition, a new webpage offers the new annual compensation documents.
The Annual Conference on Tuesday, July 12, adopted a new “Integrated Annual Ministry Agreement and Revised Guidelines for Pastors’ Salaries and Benefits” (new business item 5) and a “Revised Minimum Cash Salary Table for Pastors” (new business item 6) as presented by the Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee (PCBAC).
The Southeastern District of the Church of the Brethren has called Andrew (Andy) Hamilton to serve as half-time district executive minister beginning July 23. He will be installed at the district conference to be held on that date at Peak Creek Church of the Brethren in Laurel Springs, N.C.